The Secret of a Lasting Bond with Ying Wa: Miss Lily Chow
The Secret of a Lasting Bond with Ying Wa: Miss Lily Chow
Irene Hui (’71), Sonja Chan (’71)
Young teacher's first job
Miss Lily Chow joined Ying Wa in 1967 right after she graduated from Northcote Training College. She was then just 20 years old. In 1975, she bid goodbye to Ying Wa when she moved to Toronto, Canada with her family. Many alumnae from that era still remember her driving to school each morning, stylish and youthful as she stepped out of her car, yet brisk and confident whilst teaching in class. She taught us Geography then, in Form 2. We can still remember how she deftly drew the outline of Australia on the blackboard, and taught us the names of the six states of that country.
Positive reinforcement?
A classmate recalled that Miss Chow once noticed that she was not paying attention in class. Miss Chow walked up to her desk, and picked up her notes. With her head bowed down and expecting a reprimand, she heard Miss Chow softly said, "You have good handwriting" and walked away. Stunned but relieved, she felt so guilty. Since then, she did not allow herself to let Miss Chow down again in class. Years later, she still kept in touch with Miss Chow and went to visit Miss Chow in Toronto.
Bond with her former students
Since leaving Ying Wa, Miss Chow has kept in contact with quite a few of her former students, from different parts of the world. We were always happy to have Miss Chow join us on occasions like graduations, class gatherings, and for a few lucky ones, our weddings. Forever gracious, she has really evolved from being our teacher to becoming our friend over the years.
Bond with Ying Wa
So after nearly 60 years, what's the secret that has fostered this lasting bond between Miss Chow and Ying Wa? That was the burning question Sonja Chan (’71) wanted to ask Miss Chow when she joined a recent tea gathering in Hong Kong with her, Miss Anna Lam and Miss Virginia Pak, who are both her close friends and former colleagues in Ying Wa.
The first thing that Miss Chow brought up was the morning assemblies that Rev. C.C. Lee (’50) presided over during her tenure in Ying Wa. For Miss Chow, these assemblies were the best form of life education, not just for students, but also for a young teacher like her. Rev. Lee was full of humour, yet her messages were solid and relatable to our daily life. Rev. Lee encouraged us to seek the truth, and make our own choices on religious belief. Miss Chow also remembered well that the generous gesture extended by Rev. Lee and Miss Betty Barr in inviting her and other younger colleagues to have tea in their residence at the historical building (now nicknamed the Little White House) next to 76 Robinson Road, owned by the London Missionary Society at the time.
Miss Chow thoroughly enjoyed the happy times working closely with her colleagues in Ying Wa. Miss Kwan Yeuk Laan (’37), the Geography panel chair and Acting Headmistress when she first arrived in 1967, did not only take care of her in Ying Wa, but also later in Toronto after they had both moved there. Miss Chow had worked under two Principals, Miss Evelyn Jenkins and Mrs Katherine Chau (’55). She valued deeply the opportunity to work with and to learn from Mrs Chau who was an inspiring Principal. Miss Chow has also kept in contact with many former colleagues. Miss Anna Lam summed it up nicely, “Lily is frank, sincere and a true friend. I value our long-lasting friendship.”
Photos can speak a thousand words
The active involvement of Miss Chow in all aspects of school life was captured in the photos we have gathered from classmates. Our teachers are so caring and are willing to go the extra mile to contribute to a culture of holistic learning through participating in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. In particular, the teachers' performance at the annual Christmas Variety Show has always been the most anticipated, and most talked about event. We will never forget how under the roof of the Silcocks Hall, we roared with laughter, applauded a good show, sang the school song heartily, with teachers and students united as one big family.
Miss Chow’s Message
Happily enjoying life after retirement with her husband, Ron, in Toronto, Miss Chow keeps busy with family and her many hobbies. She takes craft lessons to build a shared interest with her 6-year-old grandson, goes to Tai Chi and line dance classes to keep active and healthy, and plays mahjong to “train the brain”! Every Monday, she holds a zoom meeting with her son Daniel in Sydney, and her daughter Christina in Toronto.
Miss Chow definitely treasures the blessings of having been part of the Ying Wa family. At the juncture of the school striving ahead beyond our 125th anniversary, she would encourage our students to continue to excel in their studies, and yet remain down to earth and true to the school's motto of "To serve and not to be served".
Acknowledgement: photos contributed by Miss Chow and Class of 1971